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Business Growth Spotlight
Welcome to Business Growth Spotlight, the podcast where we shine a light on innovative business leaders, cutting-edge strategies, and the latest trends shaping the world of business growth. Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or online educator, this podcast delivers actionable insights and expert conversations to help you scale your business, increase revenue, and stay ahead in a competitive market.
Join host Heidi Schalk as we dive deep into the stories and strategies of industry leaders, uncovering the tools and tactics they use to drive success. From navigating corporate challenges to mastering online visibility, this podcast is your go-to resource for scaling your business and reaching your goals.
Tune in weekly for inspiring conversations, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.
Business Growth Spotlight
Ep. 48 From Disney to the Boardroom: Joan Burge’s Impact on Admin Excellence
In the latest episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi sits down with Joan Burge, founder and CEO of Office Dynamics International, shares her trailblazing journey in elevating the role of administrative professionals. Since launching her company in 1990, Joan has been on a mission to transform how assistants are trained, viewed, and valued in the business world.
Joan talks about the mindset shifts that are essential for administrative professionals to step into their roles as strategic business partners. She emphasizes how professional appearance, communication, and leadership skills can directly influence perception and career opportunities.
She also reflects on standout moments in her career — including the honor of training Disney’s top assistants, a milestone that reinforced the impact of her work. Joan opens up about the challenges she’s faced, including navigating a personal health crisis that reshaped her perspective on resilience, leadership, and the power of a strong support system.
The conversation highlights the evolving demands of today’s workforce, from the difficulty of hiring quality talent to the need for marketing strategies that speak to both administrative staff and corporate decision-makers. Joan also shares the vision behind her Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence — a high-touch, deeply personalized experience designed to meet professionals right where they are.
Joan’s passion for empowering others shines through, as she continues to expand her reach and help administrative professionals thrive with the tools, training, and confidence they need to lead.
BIO
Joan Burge is known as the red-lipstick-wearing “Rock Star” of administrative and executive assistant training.
Joan is an accomplished author (8 books), professional speaker, consultant and corporate trainer. She is the creator of The Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence™; World Class Assistant™ Certification course; Star Achievement Series® Certification and Designation course; 30+ customized workshops, 200+ educational videos, 150+ articles and nearly 1,000 blog posts for executive and administrative assistants.
Her company, Office Dynamics International, is a global industry leader which offers a broad range of solutions and provides high-performance, sophisticated executive and administrative assistant training and coaching. One thing is clear: Executive assistants, their executives, HR business partners, administrators, and managers have come to rely on Office Dynamics International, because “only Joan is Joan.”
To connect with our guest, click on the links below:
Office Dynamics LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-dynamics-international/
Joan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanburge
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officedynamics/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficeDynamics/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@OfficeDynamicsIntl
TikTok: tiktok.com/@officedynamics
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@officedynamics
Connect with me:
Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/